Chapter 54 My Beloved Male Concubine
The two hurriedly stood up and bowed.
Chen Yanqing's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.
When did she arrive?
How much of what she just said did she hear?
If she finds out that he is plotting to break free from her control, given her personality, she probably won't let him off easily.
This was the first time Shen Churong had seen Li Yuanzhao since he was injured.
Ever since she rescued him from a group of assassins with her sword last night, he has felt a strange, inexplicable unease.
In the past, when this eldest princess was mentioned, he was mostly dissatisfied.
But if she hadn't arrived in time last night, I would probably have already become a victim of the assassin's blade.
Thinking back on my past remarks, I felt inexplicably embarrassed.
He actually wanted to thank her, but having always been at odds with her, he didn't know how to take the initiative to make amends.
Now that she had suddenly appeared before him, Shen Churong looked away somewhat embarrassed, and his bowing gestures were more reserved than usual: "...Greetings, Princess."
Only after he finished speaking did he belatedly realize his current disheveled state.
Covered in bandages and leaning on a wooden cane, he showed no sign of the bearing of a soldier.
He subconsciously hid his injured arm behind his back, and a blush crept up his ears.
Li Yuanzhao's gaze swept across the two faces, finally landing on Shen Churong. "Is your injury better?"
"I'm much better now, thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Shen Churong replied hastily, her voice filled with barely concealed joy.
She actually cared about him again.
I really misunderstood her before.
Actually, if you think about it carefully, aside from being a bit domineering, ruthless, and spoiled, Li Yuanzhao doesn't seem like a bad person.
Her horsemanship and archery skills were unparalleled in the capital; she handled government affairs with swift and decisive efficiency, surpassing even seasoned officials who had been immersed in the bureaucracy for many years.
Moreover, in times of crisis, she was calmer than anyone else, and her actions of drawing her sword to kill the enemy were more decisive and swift than those of seasoned warriors on the battlefield.
He even seems stronger than many men who pride themselves on their bravery.
He was truly blinded by greed in the past, which is why he always went against her.
Chen Yanqing stood aside, watching the interaction between the two, feeling extremely upset.
He didn't know what he was expecting.
Is he hoping she'll ask about his injuries the way she cared about Shen Churong?
I still hope she can spare me even just a sliver of a gentle look in her eyes.
Why would Li Yuanzhao care about such a dispensable "guard"?
While they were still in a daze, Li Yuanzhao walked straight to the two of them and sat down, his gaze falling on Chen Yanqing. "What did you thank him for just now?"
Chen Yanqing's throat tightened, and he was speechless.
He could only lower his head and mumble, "...Thank you, General, for the medicine."
Shen Churong, however, failed to detect the undercurrents within the situation. Seeing Li Yuanzhao arrive, he felt that there was no better time than now, and decided to get things straight.
"Your Highness, I dare to ask you for a favor."
"you say."
Chen Yanqing quickly tried to stop him with a look, but it was too late. Shen Churong continued, "I see that your guard is quite skilled and has a calm temperament. It's a waste of your talent to have always been a guard. My Imperial Guard is short of people, so why don't we let him go out and gain some experience? He will surely become a great man in the future."
"oh?"
Li Yuanzhao looked up at Chen Yanqing, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
She had indeed underestimated Chen Yanqing.
Even without rescuing Shen Churong from the assassins.
He was able to gain such a high opinion of himself from Shen Churong in such a short time.
It even prompted Shen Churong, who had always been at odds with her, to ask her for people for the first time.
Li Yuanzhao asked Chen Yanqing slowly, "Is this General Shen's idea, or your idea?"
Chen Yanqing's heart was in his throat.
He looked up at Li Yuanzhao and saw a faint smile on her lips.
His eyes seemed to be watching a good show, and he immediately realized that if he dared to nod, he would probably die on the spot.
He quickly bowed and said, "It is already a great fortune that I can stay by Your Highness's side to serve you. I dare not ask for anything more."
He then turned to Shen Churong and said, "Thank you for your kindness, General Chen. I am unworthy of such praise."
Shen Churong was even more convinced that Li Yuanzhao really didn't like this little guard. He said, "He's just a guard. I'll take you and then send you ten or twenty more skilled guards from the Imperial Guard. What do you think?"
Li Yuanzhao suddenly laughed and replied casually, "Who said he was just a guard?"
Both of them looked at Li Yuanzhao with puzzled expressions.
“He’s not just my personal bodyguard, he’s also…” Li Yuanzhao said slowly, “my most beloved male concubine.”
Shen Churong: "?!"
Chen Yanqing: "???!!!"
Li Yuanzhao's lips curled slightly as he looked at the shocked expressions on their faces and continued, "So... Chu Rong, I can't give him to you. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
Shen Churong suddenly turned to look at Chen Yanqing, his eyes filled with disbelief.
What he has always hated most are those who rely on their beauty to curry favor with the powerful and those who only know how to flatter.
A large part of the reason I used to dislike Li Yuanzhao was because of the rumors that she kept many male lovers.
But now, this little guard is actually Li Yuanzhao's male favorite?
He actually thought this kid was a good prospect and even wanted to recruit him into the Imperial Guard, but it turns out he's so worthless!
That excuse about being "afraid of being kicked out" was probably just a ploy to lure him in.
He suddenly felt like a fool who had been made a fool of, and his face turned pale and then red.
Chen Yanqing was completely dumbfounded.
Why was he her male concubine?
When did she ever show him any affection?
It was clearly a matter of ordering them around and arbitrarily assigning tasks.
Last time, because of Lin Xue'an, I treated him like that.
Not to mention last night, if he hadn't reacted quickly, he would have been dead by the assassin's blade long ago.
She didn't even glance at him.
But... today she openly told outsiders that he was her "most beloved male concubine".
The three words "beloved" were like hooks, gently scratching at his heart.
Could it be that she actually...
Thinking of this, his heart skipped a beat at an inopportune moment.
All the previous grievances, resentment, and complaints seemed to be diluted by the word "beloved," and even the wound on my arm didn't hurt so much anymore.
Looking at the two men's fascinating expressions, Li Yuanzhao's mockery deepened.
She reached out and gently traced her fingertips across Chen Yanqing's injured arm, her gesture as intimate as if she were petting a pet. "I was worried about your injuries, so I came to find you."
Chen Yanqing froze, his ears instantly turning red and burning, his Adam's apple bobbing, unable to utter a single word.
Shen Churong found Chen Yanqing's appearance irritating and felt even more disdain for him, while an inexplicable anger ignited within him.
"Since she is His Highness's wife, I naturally will not accept her. I was presumptuous."
After saying that, he seemed to find it an eyesore to even look at her, and turned to walk away, his steps so fast it was almost as if he were running away.
Only after Shen Churong's figure disappeared did Li Yuanzhao withdraw his hand, stand up, and walk outside. "Let's go."
As if waking from a dream, Chen Yanqing hurriedly followed in her footsteps, but her heart was still pounding.
He secretly glanced at her back, a hidden happiness stirring within him.
He knew it... she must like him.
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